Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence and declarations of interest.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2024.

To receive questions or statements from non-executive members on matters included on the agenda.

To consider any reports from Scrutiny Committee.

To receive for information any delegated decisions taken by Cabinet Members since the previous Cabinet meeting.

·        No decisions to report.

To receive the Quarter 1 performance targets outcomes.

To receive the Procurement Update report regarding 2022/23 and 2023/24.

To consider the Achieving Outcomes in Partnership with the Voluntary Sector - Corporate financial support to the Voluntary Sector report.

RESOLVED to approve:

I.                 The move to a three-year commissioning cycle (and from 2028/29 moving to a four-year cycle to match Uttlesford’s electoral cycle) for:

a.     Providing information, advice and guidance services including homelessness prevention (£140,000 pa)

b.     Connecting rural communities to prevent rural isolation including rural transport (£62,000 pa)

c.      Healthy, resilient and active communities (inc. mental health, sports and leisure) (£70,000 pa)

d.     Support for older people and those with learning difficulties (£110,000 pa)

e.     Youth (£50,000 pa)

f.       Arts and culture (£35,000 pa)

II.               An annual grant cycle for:

a.     Any other contribution towards Corporate Plan Outcomes. Two one-off funding streams – small grants (up to £500) or larger (£500-£3,000), including direct member submitted or supported proposals.

b.     Establishing strengthened governance to oversee grant funded services through a cross-party forum.

c.      Cease ward member initiatives and include the previous budget as part of a wider grant fund in a new funding regime to be determined over coming weeks prior to launch for the 2025/26 funding year.

To consider the Safeguarding Policy.

RESOLVED to approve the Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults Policy and Reporting Procedure.

To consider the CCTV Policy.

RESOLVED to approve the CCTV Policy.

To consider the report regarding the Zero Carbon Communities Grant Scheme.

RESOLVED to:

I.                 Approve the plan to launch round 3 of the Zero Carbon Communities Grant fund in September.

II.               Note the timeline and milestones outlined for the application and selection of the successful projects.

To consider the Clavering Neighbourhood Plan.

RESOLVED:

I.                 To designate the Parish of Clavering as a Neighbourhood Development Plan Area.

II.               The Development Plan Area as submitted by Clavering Parish Council should be approved and adopted as the Clavering Neighbourhood Development Plan Area.

To receive the Local Government Ombudsman Report 2023/24.

To receive the Internal Audit Plan 2024/25 Update report.

To consider the report regarding the Contract Award for Decarbonisation Works.

RESOLVED:

I.                 To delegate authority to the Director of Property Services (interim), the Interim Strategic Director, Housing, Health and Communities and the Strategic Director of Finance Commercialisation and Corporate Services in consultation with the Cabinet member for housing to award a contract for Phase 1 of the SHDF decarbonisation contract

II.               Cabinet review and approve the award of the Phase 1 SHDF decarbonisation contract to Equans, recognising their expertise in delivering large-scale retrofit projects.

III.              Cabinet note that Phase 2 will be integrated into the scope of work for the new R&M contractor, ensuring continuity and efficiency in our overall housing improvement strategy.

IV.             Cabinet acknowledge the strategic use of the Fusion 21 Decarbonisation Framework as the most appropriate procurement route given the SHDF timelines and project requirements.

V.               Cabinet note that Equans, ranked second on the framework, was selected after Vinci (ranked first) voluntarily withdrew from consideration.

VI.             Cabinet note the use of the ACA Standard Form of Contract for Project Partnering (PPC 2000, amended 2013) as the contractual basis for this project.

To consider the Quarter 1 Financial Monitor and Forecast report.

RESOLVED to:

I.                 Note the contents of this report.

II.               Delegate the authority to re-align budgets within the departments to the Section 151 Officer.

III.              Approve the additions to the Capital Budgets as noted within the Capital Programme and delegate to the Section 151 Officer to finalise the slippage for 2023/24 and adjust the 2024/25 budgets for Quarter 2 monitoring.

IV.             Request a paper that approves an approach to simplifying the internal recharges to an approach that meets statutory requirements and also supports strong and effective budget management.

V.               Delegate the authority to the Section 151 Officer to increase and adjust the capital HRA budgets to account for the successful Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund bid.

To consider the report regarding Local Council Tax Support Scheme Proposals 2025/26.

RESOLVED that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 is consulted on the following basis:

I.                 The contribution rate is frozen at 12.5% for 2025/26.

II.               The Council continues to protect Pensioners, Vulnerable and Disabled Residents and their Carer’s on a low income.